Carbon nanotubes (CNT), as nano-fillers, have the ability to improve the mechanical and electrical properties of the host matrix. The composite properties depend significantly on the distribution of the CNTs within the polymer matrix, and on the nature of the interface between the polymer and the CNTs. Here we aim to study the relation between the nanoscale morphology, obtained through optical fluorescence microscopy, and macroscale properties. The rationale for applying optical microscopy over electron microscopy is three-fold. First, optical microscopy is nondestructive and can penetrate microns deep into CNT/polymer composites to reveal the three-dimensional structure from the nano- to the micro-scale. Second, labeling the matrix and/or CNTs with fluorescent dyes can make such optical measurements visible to regions of particular interest, such as the interphase. Third, super-resolution imaging techniques, which were originally developed in the field of biology, can be implemented to provide resolution ideally at the 10-20 nm scale. We employ photoactivation localization microscopy (PALM) which precisely locates isolated, activated fluorophores over a series of diffraction-limited images. Combining the locations of the fluorophores generates a final super-resolution image.The PALM method requires photoactivatable dye molecules, which are synthesized by a ring closure reaction in alcoholic solvents. We have developed techniques to incorporate such dyes into CNT/polymer nanocomposites. Combinations of different dyes in the polymer and attached to the CNTs can be used to highlight the interfacial regions in nanocomposites.

Super-resolution optical imaging of fluorescent carbon nanotube nanocomposites

246th National Meeting (2013)

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